With your background, you will likely approach the travel trailer as a system. With each subsystem and the 12v and 120v interconnecting it.
It isn't really hard, just very new to most people. Once you look at each system, it becomes simple. Choosing industry-popular components is the challenge- at least it is for this IT fellow ;)
If you want a slide, you will be perfectly fine with it. Push and hold button until it goes out and stop. Reverse process to stow. Make sure no broom handles or things are in the way when you do (I have my daughter spot from outside to make sure it is coming in smoothly and evenly, no hidden branches or other surprises)
But choose what suits you and your family. Once you go to a campground and see all the other slides, you'll kick yourselves if you didn't take the time to go look at them and give them serious consideration. If you do that and then *choose* to forgo a slide, you can rest easy that you did your research and considered your options.
I was trying to be neutral, but now that you have confessed to being a fellow geek, I'm changing my suggestion to: "If you have the tow vehicle to handle it, get a slide. You won't regret it."
Either way, let us know what you have gone to look at and your impressions. Nothing beats eyes and butts when looking for a camper :C
